Inking mechanism



March 31, 1931. E. F. DUDLEY INKING MECHANISM Filed June 14, 1928 fizz/67%?- Edward [W zmZ/y w'W' @"W W Patented Mar. 31, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE EDWARD F. DUDLEY, OF OAK PARK, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNORTO THE MIEHLE PRINTING PRESS 80 MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS INKING MECHANISM Application filed June 14,

This invention relates to inking mechanism for printing presses and the like machinery where a supply of ink has to be applied as a thin layer to the type matter or printing plate from which impressions are to be pulled.

The invention relates particularly to that type of inking mechanism where a metal drum of a comparatively large diameter 1s used as an ink distributing means in place of an ink distributing table such as are commonly known in the art.

One of the principle problems in the art of printing, is that of obtaining proper 1nk distribution, especially where quality work is requred. In order to secure satsfactory results, it is essential to apply an exceedingly evenly distributed, thin film of ink to the form of the press.

3 vide an inking mechanism comprising an ink distributing unit, the cooperating parts of which constantly rotate in given directions so that the film of ink distributed thereover will not be interrupted during the operation of l the press.

Further objects of the invention will be apparent from the following description and appended claims.

The accompanying drawing gives a diagrammatic view of the general arrangement of my improved inking mechanism as applied to a flat bed printing press, it being understood, of course, that motion is imparted to the various parts in a manner usually adopted in the construction of printing presses.

The type bed 10 which carries the form or type matter from which impressions are to be taken is reciprocated in a known manner to and fro beneath the impression cylinder 11. The particular type of printing press in connection with which the invention is illustrated by way of example, is a two-revolution press wherein the impression cylinder constantly rotates in one direction and performs 1928. Serial No. 285,258.

two revolutions for every impression cycle of the press.

The ink is stored in an ink fountain 12 of usual construction and comprising a fountain roller 13 from which ink is intermittently transferred to the ink distributing drum 14 by means of a ductor roller 15. In order to distribute the ink over the drum 14, one or more rider rollers 16 are arranged in contact with said drum. The latter is preferably vibrated longitudinally of its axis to assure the best possible distribution of ink thereon.

The film of ink distributed over the surface of the drum 14 is transferred to the form roller unit'by means of a ductor roller 17 which remains in constant contact with the surface of the drum 14 but oscillates over said drum to intermittently apply a thin film of ink to the intermediate roller or distributing drum 18, which, according to the particular form of construction shown, is a metal roller.

The form roller unit also comprises a rider roller 19 which cooperates with the intermediate roller or drum 18 to convey the ink from the latter to a vibrator roller 20, which in turn cooperates with the form rollers 21 and 22.

In the particular arrangement shown for the purpose of illustrating my invention, the

made by the drum 14 per impression stroke of the press may be adopted without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The drawing illustrates the position of the cooperating parts at the beginning of the impression stroke of the printing couple, namely at the time when the impression cylinder 11 is in cooperative relation with the type bed 10, which latter travels in the direction indicated by the arrow. As will be seen, the ductor roller 17, when the parts are in the pointermediate roller 18, and therefore the formrollers 21 and 22 will merely apply so much ink to the form as might still remain stored I in the. form roller unit at the end of the impression stroke of the type bed.

It will be readily understood that without departing from the principle of my invention, the improved inking mechanism could be readily adapted for use in connection with rotary printing presses, that is to say, presses wherein the form is mounted on a cylinder instead of an a flat bed.

It will also be understood that various modifications could beembodied in my nn proved mechanisimfor example by suitably rearranging the ink distributing and form roller units, the ductor roller, whereby the inkistransferred from the ink distributing unit to the form-roller unit, could be mounted to cooperate with; another roller of the ink distrubuting drum direct. Therefore, I do not? wishto limit myself to the particular arrangement disclosed in the drawing, but I intend=to cover any such modifications that will drum to the form, through said form roller unit, the diameter of said drum being a multiple of the diameter of any one roller of said units.

Signed'at Chicago, Illinois, this 12th day of June, 1928. y

; v EDWARD F. DUDLEY.

come within the scope of the appended 7 claims 1 I: claim: 7

1. In inking mechanism for flatbed presses, the'combina'tionof an'ink fountain, an ink distributing roller unit continually rotating in one direction and including an ink distributing drum, a ductor roller arranged to convey ink direct from said fountain to said drum, aform roller unitcomprising a single set of formrollers, and-a second ductor roller in constant contact with said drumand arranged to intermittently contact with said form roller unit to produce a continuous, un-

divided ink film-communication from said distributing roller unit to tlie'for'm through said form roller unit.-

2. Iii-inking mechanism'for flatbed-presses, the combination of an ink fountain an ink distributing roller unit continually rotating in one direction and includingan ink distributing druima ductor roller arranged to conveyink direct from said fountain to said drum, a form roller unit comprising a single E'Qt0:f01111 rollers, anda-seoond ductor roller in constant contact with-said drum and arranged-to intermittently contact with said form roller unit to produce a continuous undivided ink film communication from said 

